Oberlin College has achieved yet another first: the first community in Ohio
to have its own hybrid car-sharing program.

At 4:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon, dozens of students gathered in the
environmental science building to witness the CityWheels Ribbon-Cutting
Celebration.

“This is a happy day,” President Nancy Dye began. She beamed as
she thanked junior environmental studies major Andrew deCoriolis, Director of
Finance Ron Watts and CityWheels President Ryan McKenzie, whose efforts led to
the fruition of the relatively inexpensive carshare program, which was outlined
in the Dec. 9 issue of the Review.

Before leading the crowd outside to view the two car fleet, which includes a
cherry-colored Hybrid Prius and a matching Scion, Dye gave the microphone over
to McKenzie and DeCoreolis.

“About a year ago I decided ‘I’m gonna do
this,’” McKenzie said. Before launching CityWheels, he had tried to
bring environmentally friendly travel to Cleveland through outside companies
without success.

“I’m so thankful for Oberlin College’s assistance,”
he said. “It’s a dream for me.”

deCoriolis, who is actively involved in other Environmental Policy
Implementation Group projects, was just as thrilled.

“It’s really revolutionary,” he said.

Once outside in the cold, the crowd’s excitement grew and they cheered
when Dye cut the gold ribbon on the Prius. Even more telling were the three
students who leapt into the backseat when Dye took the car for a spin.

While enthusiasm for the new initiative was evident, Dye cautioned that for
the program to survive, it would need to spread.

“This is a pilot project and it’s important for people to use the
cars. That is why they’re here,” she said.